One size does not fit all when it comes to treatment for perimenopause, the period leading up to menopause, and menopause. You may have few symptoms and only need to see your doctor for annual exams and preventive care procedures. Or, menopause may impact your life drastically, causing severe hot flashes, mood swings, depression, bone loss and vaginal dryness. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, specially trained menopause specialists are available to guide you through this stage of life.
Menopause specialists in the Sutter Health network stay up to date on the latest research into lifestyle approaches and safe and effective medications. Our menopause specialists can help you learn about non-pharmaceutical strategies that have shown scientific promise in decreasing menopause symptoms. These include stress reduction, acupuncture, yoga, clinical hypnosis and exercise, among others. The Sutter Institute for Health and Healing provides many special services.
We also offer hormone therapy as a safe, short-term option for many – though not all – women with uncomfortable menopausal symptoms. We can also provide other options to reduce symptoms, including low-dose estrogen-progestin birth control pills or a localized hormonal patch, gel or spray. Alternatively, several forms of non-hormonal treatments can address particular symptoms, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Brisdelle®) and selective estrogen receptor modulators (DUAVEE®).
We also offer a number of prevention and screening procedures for women at this stage of life. Clinical bone densitometry, for example, checks for bone loss, which accelerates once a woman reaches menopause.
